Kidderminster Harriers Football Club

The Harriers were held to a frustrating 1:1 draw against newly promote Lewes at home, due to an own goal by Dean Bennett.

New Signings at Agborough...

Kidderminster Harriers are pleased to confirm that they have today concluded deals to sign four new players.

Following discussions with Mark Yates this week, Martin Riley, Martin Brittain, Sam Foley and David McDermott have all signed contracts today.

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers assistant manager Neil Howarth is expecting Simon Russell and Dean Bennett to sign new contracts with the club.

The midfield pair have taken part in the four days of pre-season training so far and will be back again when the squad returns from their weekend break on Monday.

Russell is out of contract at Aggborough, while Bennett finished last season on loan following his release by Chester City.

“They have been sharing the week with us,” Howarth said. “They were here last season and we are considering them as our players and then it will get confirmed when pen is put to paper. I am very hopeful they will sign.”

Howarth and boss Mark Yates have been impressed with the effort shown by the players since returning from their summer holidays.

“It’s been excellent,” Howarth said. “We started on Tuesday so they have been broken in and they look really good. We are really pleased with how they have come back. We haven’t been doing any contact stuff but they are looking in fit shape.”

Several trialists have also been involved, including midfielder Martin Brittain and striker David McDermott, both ex-Walsall, and former Shrewsbury striker Marco Ad-aggio.

source: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/3194424.Duo_in_frame_to_sign_deals/

Assistant manager Neil Howarth showered praise on his Kidderminster Harriers charges for their work ethic during the first week of pre-season training.


The club's current 12 contracted players, a host of trialists along with out-of-contract Dean Bennett and former loanee Simon Russell linked up for a number of gruelling training sessions.


And the mentor was impressed with their contributions. He told The Shuttle: "Training is going well and all the lads are really going for it.


"They look hungry and determined for the coming season and that's a good sign."


Former Walsall player Marco Adaggio is one of the players on trial at the Aggborough stadium and Howarth admits the club are keeping a keen eye on him.


Marco was doing well at Stafford before he got injured and had to sit the rest of the season out," he added.


"There's no doubting that he's got ability and we're having a look at him and several others."

source: http://www.confguide.com/Story/0,21423,5764_3779234,00.html

New Kidderminster goalkeeper Adam Bartlett is determined to prove that his decision to join Harriers and leave the “comfort zone” is the correct one.

The England C international comes to Aggborough via Blue Square North side Blyth Spartans, which he combined with a full time job as a goalkeeping coach at Premier League giants Newcastle United.

Now the pressure is on Bartlett to make the move work - something that does not seem to faze the highly-rated stopper one bit.

He said: “I have been in the Conference North for the past couple of years and I’ve been desperate to get back into the full-time game.

“I had been working at Newcastle’s academy doing their goalkeeping coaching whilst also playing for Blyth.

“But it was the case that I wanted to be back playing full-time. Over the last couple of years I’ve been in the comfort zone to a certain extent.

“My work at Newcastle meant I was involved with football and it was a full-time job at a Premier League club, which was fantastic.

“I feel that I have a lot to offer Kidderminster and that’s why I’m here. My head was saying that I had a steady job where I was but my heart wanted to get back to playing full-time football.

“At the end of the day I had to follow my heart. I’m going to put the work in to make sure it’s the right decision.”

So far Bartlett has been pleased with what he has seen at Harriers. The new man is certainly aiming high.

He said: “I would say it looks very promising. It’s a solid unit and a very tight group of players.

“On the whole the squad is shaping up well. We have a good chance of hopefully challenging for something next season.”

source:
http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/07/07/goalie-bartletts-point-to-prove/